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Jubilation - Sukkot Art by Archie Granot

"Jubilation" by artist Archie Granotwas inspired by the festival of Succot - Feast of Tabernacles - and the temporary booth in which we live during the festival. This year the festival starts the evening of September 18 and ends September 26.

The palm trees in the two outer windows symbolize the Lulav - one of the four species used ritually during the festival. The central panel of the work is reminiscent of the greenery with which the Succah is covered. Two abstract forms suggesting praying figures stand at each side of the central text which reads: "Then shall the trees of the wood sing for joy at the presence of the Lord, because He comes to judge the earth." (Chronicles 1, 16:32).

With the festival of Sukkot coming only a few days after Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, Hassidic commentators, referring to the above verse, have suggested that the joyous ceremony of the waving of the Lulav - palm branch - is confirmation that G-d has accepted the sincere prayers of Yom Kippur and has forgiven the sins of the Jewish people.Join Granot on the closing day of As Subject and Object: Contemporary Book Artists Explore Sacred Hebrew Texts for a special lecture and gallery talk. Granot will discuss his process and papercutting techniques, show images of current works in progress, and take participants through a guided tour and discussion of his work currently on view at MOBIA, NYC. More info here.